Energy Insight: European referendum 2016

Energy Institute Knowledge Service team;
15-7-2016

Published Post EU Referendum

Political

House of Commons Library. Brexit what happens next.This paper considers various questions about UK withdrawal from the EU and what is likely to happen in the coming weeks and months. The issues include the method of leaving the EU, continuing parliamentary scrutiny of EU business and the withdrawal negotiations, and the implications of Brexit for Scotland and Gibraltar.

EU referendum outcome: PM statement24 June 2016(Link to GOV.UK website)Prime Minister David Cameron made a statement in Downing Street on the outcome of the referendum on the UK's membership of the European Union.

Views, Overviews and guidance from other organisations

CMS. Brexit checklists. "Our checklists cover a broad range of industry areas to guide you through what a Brexit could really mean for your business and how CMS can help." CMS, 24 June 2016

BREXIT: Will There Be A Second Vote? the opinion of Peter Romary an English / US trained lawyer who advises and trains government and private sector clients around the world. (Link to LinkedIn). 26 June 2016

Thursday 23 June 2016 is the date set by the UK Prime Minister, David Cameron, for the UK to vote on whether the UK should leave the EC, or stay in. Below are some useful links and background information

Background reading

The UK's EU referendum: All you need to knowBy Brian Wheeler & Alex Hunt, BBC News - 22 February 2016http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-32810887A very clear and comprehensive resume of the issues with links to the websites of the various for and against camps.

The above report indicates the following regarding the UK’s energy relationship with the EU in three main scenarios:

Vote to remain, the Reformed EU Option:

Energy not a main point of renegotiation for the UK, so unlikely that it would be directly affected by a renegotiated membership. Policy differences already exist between UK and other EU member states; these could continue to diverge or coalesce, as the EU gives member states the freedom to determine their own energy mix and methods of complying with EU directives. UK would retain access to the EU single energy market.

Vote to leave, the Norwegian (EEA) or Swiss (EFTA) Option:

Norway has access to the EU single energy market. EU energy policy directly applies to Norway, but it has no representation in EU institutions – it must adhere to EU directives but has no role in their formation.

Switzerland is a member of the EFTA but not the EEA, relationship with EU based on bilateral agreements. Report does not indicate likelihood of UK remaining in EU single energy market in this scenario.

Vote to leave, no EEA or EFTA membership:

In this scenario, “it is very unlikely that the UK would not still retain elements of the single energy market, energy policy or adapt its new policies accordingly.” Membership in EU single energy market would benefit both UK (from supply security) and EU (as UK is producer of oil and gas, and arrival point for LNG tankers). If UK participated in EU single energy market, would likely have to comply with some EU energy policies.

Ryan Bourne. Brexit myths debunked: the Leave campaign shouldn't fear arguing that leaving the EU would be good for the economy. CityAM. 27th April 2016.

9th Report of Session 2015-16 - published 30 March 2016 - HL Paper 122"In scrutinising the Government... our focus has been upon its vision for the UK’s future in a reformed EU, and on how it has sought to realise that vision. We have asked whether the Government’s vision is clear, persuasive and durable, and whether it respects the broad spectrum of opinion both within the United Kingdom and beyond."

This document assesses continued UK membership of the EU against the three existing alternative models:

membership of the European Economic Area (EEA), like Norway

a negotiated bilateral agreement, such as that between the EU and Switzerland, Turkey or Canada

World Trade Organisation (WTO) membership without any form of specific agreement with the EU, like Russia or Brazil

The Treasury’s analysis shows that the UK would be permanently poorer if it left the EU and adopted any of these models. Productivity and GDP per person would be lower in all these alternative scenarios, as the costs would substantially outweigh any potential benefit of leaving the EU.

Environmental Audit CommitteeEU membership positive for UK environment EU membership has been a crucial factor in shaping UK environmental policy on air and water pollution, and biodiversity, according to the Environmental Audit Committee’s report on EU and UK Environmental Policy.Prior research, advice and relevant legislation

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